That disappointment has been eased with the number of Scots converted to a sport that is enjoying a resurgence on the back of a heroic World Cup for Vern Cotter’s side.

Despite a seven-game run without a Six Nations win Bath loose forward Denton is convinced the feelgood factor remains intact as they attempt to lift the Calcutta Cup at a sold-out Murrayfield on Saturday.

He said: “The buzz around Scotland at the moment is incredible.

“I couldn’t count how many people I’ve spoken to about the England game on my way to join up with the squad.

“It is awesome to be in that position. Scotland as a nation buys in to the Six Nations and the national team.

David Denton training at Surrey Sports Park (Image: PA Wire)

“It’s a privilege for us to be in this position as there is extra buzz among the public and I hope we can live up to their expectations. We are not taking the job lightly.

“This will be my fourth time playing England. We have played good rugby but the most important thing is to get the result.

“The last time we played down at Twickenham it was not as close. We are always there or thereabouts but it is important we get over the hump and get the win.

“We are trying to harness the good things we put together in the World Cup when we had some extended time together which is something you don’t get in international rugby because there are so many club demands.

“That time was invaluable and we have to grow from where we were. We’ll learn from the mistakes we made during the World Cup and stay that tight group we created which was part of the reason we were successful in the summer.”

New England head coach Eddie Jones has stated his belief Scotland should be regarded as favourites for his first game in charge as he attempts to bring order to a team that failed to progress beyond the group stage at England 2015.

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That flop prompted ridicule from the English public but Denton believes Scotland should be more than wary of a side still smarting at their embarrassing exit from their own tournament.

He said: “You can’t take England lightly. They are a good bunch of players, very skilful, and Eddie Jones is a very good coach. I’m sure he’ll have some tricks up his sleeve.

“The way they played at the World Cup was affected by pressure but I’m not sure how that will affect them now.

“I know from speaking to the guys at Bath there’s a sense of release. They feel like they have been locked down for a long time with the last regime. I’d expect them to express themselves a bit more in the coming weeks.

“None of us know how they’ll react. That’s why it’s important we focus on what we do. We can watch as many England games as we want but this is a new combination.

“We can expect them to be very motivated coming off the back of a disappointing World Cup for them.”

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Scotland haven’t beaten England since a 15-9 win at home in 2008 but Denton recalls a Calcutta Cup clash four years ago which has bitter-sweet memories as he was left clutching the man-of-the-match award to console him from a 13-6 defeat.

He said: “I will remember that game for a long time. It was my first one against England, I framed the jersey and hung it up in my flat so that’s an occasion I’ll look back on fondly.

“I was also voted man of the match as well but they don’t mean a lot as it is a different opinion from what the coaches might see. The downside was it was not a win.”

The sense of a brave new dawn is about to be delivered by the Dark Blues and if it’s to be the start of a successful chapter then Scotland will need to win their first Six Nations opener since 2006.

Denton is also aiming to consign history to the bin by ending a long wait to score a try for his country.

He said: “I do score a few tries but they don’t tend to be for Scotland. The boys wind me up about it. I’ll have to get on the scoresheet.”